Competitive, rigorous summer research trip set to expand later this academic year

“I think research and experiential training are critical for our students’ success in life, independent of the career they choose.”

Satpal Singh, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology

University at Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Students describe their experience as
“uncovering the road to a vast and unknown ocean” they
had only seen glimpses of, and “the most powerful academic
program” they have ever been a part of.

They are talking about the Cambridge Undergraduate Scholars
Program, a prime example of “experiential learning,” or
finding learning opportunities outside the classroom, and the
University at Buffalo has declared experiential learning an
educational priority that will continue to expand in coming
years.

The rewards of experiential learning range from taking advantage
of research and experts beyond UB classrooms to establishing
professional networks that lead to postgraduate opportunities.

The Cambridge Undergraduate Scholars Program reflects what is
becoming a UB academic signature: giving its best students a
top-notch, off-campus experience.

“I think research and experiential training are critical
for our students’ success in life, independent of the career
they choose,” says Satpal Singh, associate professor in the
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, who envisioned the Cambridge
program and now leads it. “It immerses the students in
real-life situations like no classroom lectures, or even teaching
laboratories, can do.”

Singh’s high aspirations have paid off for the five
undergraduates who spent 10 weeks this past summer conducting
research in the intellectually heady atmosphere of Cambridge
University. Each student was matched with a faculty mentor in
Cambridge, and Singh also co-mentored the students. Not only did
the student benefit from experiential learning, but the program was
located at what Singh called “among the most outstanding and
revered institutions in the world.”

“Its researchers are engaged in research at the forefront
of several areas,” he says. “In addition, an
international experience and interaction with faculty and students
from different cultures adds a new dimension to students’
experiences, which helps them in formulating their career
plans.”

The students returned to UB this fall with glowing endorsements
of their 10-week summer research programs.

“I would recommend this program to as many students as
possible,” says Alexandra Van Hall, a senior chemistry major
from Owego with minors in mathematics and statistics. She calls the
Cambridge experience “without a doubt, the most powerful
academic experience” she has ever participated in.

“The academic atmosphere of Cambridge is like no other
place and is extremely inspiring,” she says. “Being
pushed to work quickly and having long days was difficult, but
really paid off. I accomplished so much more in 10 weeks than I
ever thought I could. My project was a success and this has given
me confidence in my research abilities.

“For me, this trip was a growing experience, personally
and academically.”

Antara Majumdar, a junior biomedical sciences major from
Astoria, Queens, says she entered the application process convinced
she would never have a chance because there were so many other
students more qualified and talented than she. She sold herself
short, as it turned out, and her experience was nothing short of
transforming.

“I truly believe the Cambridge program really altered my
perception of my own capabilities,” she says. “I drew
inspiration from the seminars I attended, where visiting scientists
would discuss their research so clearly. Sometimes they would draw
laughs from the audience. But mostly, they were very clear about
largely complex topics.

“Every week I learned even more to enjoy being in the lab
and to learn from my mistakes,” she says. “The beauty
of being somewhere such as Cambridge is that you can tell that the
attitudes of the scientists are different. In a way, it is
collaborative and people are constantly going to seminars and
conferences.”

Majumdar calls her daily walks through Cambridge “nothing
short of exciting.”

“I liked the small-town and cosmopolitan feel that the
streets were a blend of,” she says. “Seeing the chapels
and walking through narrow streets was another highlight. I would,
without a doubt, go back to Cambridge for future studies. Before I
went there, Cambridge was just one of those universities where I
thought I would never be able to go. Looking through their website,
I would be intimidated by how professional and historical
everything looked. I learned to see beyond that through this trip.
I even made three good friends while I was there,” she
says.

“My lab mentor would constantly ask me each week,
‘Are you enjoying this project?’ I started reading a
lot of articles and got to know the true beauty of the topic I was
researching,” she says. “It felt like uncovering the
road to a vast and unknown ocean, and I had only seen a glimpse of
it.”

Mara B. Huber, PhD, associate dean for undergraduate education
and experiential learning who helped develop the model in
partnership with UB Study Abroad, says Singh, who accompanied the
students to Cambridge, was “a wonderful mentor,”
committed to student success in research and advanced
education.

“Dr. Singh’s vision to connect outstanding UB
undergraduates with opportunities to work with Cambridge faculty in
their labs may be the foundation for something even bigger,”
Huber says.

“We are working to expand the program to include summer
research opportunities at Oxford for the 2016 program. Building out
this initiative takes both vision and commitment, both of which Dr.
Singh exemplifies through his leadership and dedication.”

She urges UB students to set their sights on this
experiential-learning opportunity, which can be
“transformative” to their future career and academic
pathways.

“Congratulations to the inaugural class of UB
participants,” she says. “They have represented our
campus well and paved the way for future students who will go on to
make amazing discoveries and contributions to their respective
fields.”

Members of that inaugural class were honored at a celebratory
reception on Nov. 20. In addition to Van Hall and Majumdar, they
are Austin Price, Lockport; Benjamin George, Pine Bush; and Celia
Zhang, Brooklyn.